Second eastbound lane to open tonight on Causeway Bridge

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Westbound traffic backs up at the intersection of
Central Avenue and West Eighth Street in Ship Bottom.

The area isn’t yet populated with summer vacationers, but heavy traffic delays on the Route 72 Causeway Bridge are making it feel that way. The congestion has been a problem since eastbound traffic was shifted to one lane on the new bridge last Friday, April 22. But the issue could clear up once the second eastbound lane opens later today, Friday, April 29, around 11 p.m.

“While we can’t say for certain the exact cause of current traffic delays, rubbernecking is often a problem in situations like this when drivers slow to look at the ongoing work,” Kevin Isreal, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said.

Westbound traffic on the existing bridge, which is also experiencing bumper-to-bumper delays, will be shifted to the new bridge later next week, Israel noted. One lane will be opened initially, and the second lane will open the following week.

“Full summer traffic patterns will be resumed with two lanes of traffic in both directions on the new bridge by Memorial Day,” Israel stated.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.